Friends of Cuba, various associations, Cuban residents, and other guests gathered in the city of Montreal to celebrate Cuban Culture Day.
Yamari Pérez, Cuba’s Consul General in Montreal, highlighted the significance of October 20, a historic date marking the first performance of the Bayamo Anthem, which would later become Cuba’s National Anthem.
She also emphasized the damage inflicted on the cultural sector as a result of the collective punishment imposed on the Caribbean island by the U.S. government.
Andrés Fontecilla, a Member of Quebec’s National Assembly, attended the event, expressing his support for Cuba and pointing out the injustice inflicted on the Cuban people as a result of the tightening of the blockade imposed by the United States.
The event also served as an opportunity to raise solidarity aid for the Juan Manuel Márquez Pediatric Hospital in Havana.
Several organizations made contributions toward the purchase of medicines and medical supplies needed to safeguard the lives of Cuban children.
Cuban, Chilean, and Canadian artists shared their talents, offering a night filled with love for Cuba. In the end, everyone joined in a chorus, declaring: “Cuba is not a threat; the blockade is!”